I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai three times in the last few years, and I have to say, it’s quite possibly my favorite resort to visit on the planet. There’s no doubt it’s one of the best resorts in Hawaii, and it’s easy to see why. This 5 star property features everything from 7 pools and 5 restaurants to an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus designed golf course set on a volcanic landscape. For our trip, we left at the end of January, which is high season for the Big Island as people try to escape the cold. It’s also the perfect season for whale watching, and if you’re lucky, you can see them right from the beach at the resort. Leaving Austin for this January/February trip was the perfect way to escape the cold fronts that had rolled into Texas, and the weather in Hawaii was perfect. “Winter” on the Big Island tends to be in the 70s/80s with lows in the 60s, so while you’ll want to pack a sweater, it’s much more mild than most other destinations.

Anyone who knows me know how much I love the Big Island of Hawaii. I grew up going there yearly, camping out on the beach with my dad near Kona and exploring all that the island had to offer. I never really did a luxury resort stay there until I became a travel blogger. Recently, I’ve been able to return to Hawaii several times for work. I’m so excited that Southwest Airlines will be launching flights to Kona soon (service start date subject to government approvals), allowing even more access to the Big Island. Two free checked bags (first and second checked bags, weight and size limits apply) means being able to pack ALL of my resort wear and bring home plenty of souvenirs too. And since I’m a hoarder of Southwest points, I’m hoping to make a yearly trip of it by using my points! For more information on Southwest Airlines flights to Hawaii visit, southwest.com/hawaii.